9 February 2012
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We returned to the home in December 2011 to check on the work undertaken to meet the compliance actions. Almost no action had been taken. Due to this and other shortfalls we identified within our visit, we issued two warning notices. These were in relation to cleanliness and infection control and monitoring and assessing the quality of the service provided.
This review was undertaken to ensure the providers had met the warning notices. Due to this focus and an awareness of people's dementia, we did not talk to people who used the service in detail. We did not look at whether the provider had met the compliance actions we made in December 2011. Another review will be arranged to do this.
During our visit, we noted that significant improvements had been made in relation to the cleanliness of the home and infection control practices. Audits had also been devised to assess and monitor the quality of the service people received. Checks of the hot water temperatures, window restrictors and people's bedrooms were in place. A consultant had also been employed to develop and monitor a new care planning system. Other audits such as medication and staff training had been identified but were not yet in operation.
The staff were very enthusiastic and motivated about the improvements made within the home. Many staff were completing extra shifts and some were doing developmental work in their own time. However, staff had not been consulted with about the additional responsibilities they had been given. They had not been given any specific training or allocated time to fulfil their new roles. This impacted upon the success and the timescale of the developments required.